Switch-lock.



J. D. MOORE.

SWITCH LOOK.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.16,1914.

Patented Jun 2, 1914.

2 SHEETS-S INVENTOR BY g ATTORNEYS 2 SHBET$-SHEET 2 Patented June 2, 1914.

J. D. MOORE.

SWITCH LOOK APPLICATION FILED FEB. l6 1914.

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I ATTORNEYS TINITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH D. MOORE, OF FOLKS'I'ON, GEORGIA.

SWITCH-LOCK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr D. MOORE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Folkston, in the county of Charlton and State of Georgia, have invented an Improvement in Switch-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates generally to switches and more particularly to means supplementing the usual switch throwing mechanism of desired character for the purpose of locking the switch point against the main rail when the switch is closed.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, strong and durable arrangement which will effectively hold the switch point against the main rail and which may be readily released when it is desired to open the switch by connections of such character as that they may be actuated when the switch throwing lever is raised.

In carrying out my invention I preferably utilize the several structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view. of a switch to which my improvements have been added. Fig, 2 is a perspective view of a slide plate constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 3 is a similar View of the locking plate removed. Fig. a is a vertical section taken partially through the switch substantially on line 4c-1- of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged section through one main rail adjacent the switch point and its lock, and Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

In accordance with my invention I modify the usual construction of the slide plate A generally known as No. 1 slide plate and which is located beneath the main rail B i1nmediately adjacent the switch point C, by laterally extending the same and providing a downwardly offset and longitudinally extending shelf A to extend between the ties I) and D which are extended at one end at the switch point and beyond the other ties to form a support for the usual switch stand E. As shown particularly in Fig. 2 this slide plate has the usual raised seat A for the switch point C and I also provide the offset shelf A with a spring plate A disposed upon the upper surface of the shelf and secured thereto at one end by rivets and the like a, the body of this spring plate extending at a slight angle so that its opposite Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 16, 1914.

Patented June 2, 1914. Serial No. 818,940.

free end normally extends to a point flush with the surface of the slide plate A, its act1on be1ng augmented by a coiled spring a disposed between the same and the shelf A 111 order to preserve proper action of the spring plate should its fastenings at a become loosened.

The locking member F, as best shown in Fig. 3 consists of a fiat plate the ends of which are thickened, one end forming a squared locking shoulder f and the shoulder at the opposite end having an undercut groove f adapted to receive the edge of the base flange of the switch point C as clearly indicated in Fig. 5, the locking plate having apertures f adjacent its under cut shoulder for the reception of pins or bolts G, the upper ends of which are extended through apertures in the base flange on the switch point C. Upon the upper portions of these pins or bolts are disposed the coiled springs G, these springs being pressed between the upper surface of the base flange of the switch point and washers and the like 9 held upon the upper ends of the pins or bolts in any suitable manner. Thus the locking plate F is so connected to the switch point C that the connection performs all of the functions of a pivot or fulcrum and at the same time permits the locking plate to be readily and quickly removed for purposes of repair and substitution. When connected to the switch point, the body of this locking plate F extends beneath the base of the main rail B and between the same and the spring plate A as will be plainly seen by reference to Figs. 5 and 6, and the space between the shouldered portions of this plate F being in length substantially the same as the width of the rail base, it is to be plainly seen that when the switch point is thrown, by the usual mechanism, tightly against themain rail B, the locking shoulder f will be lifted to engage the relatively opposite side of the rail base by the action of the spring plate M. For the purpose of releasing the look so engaged I provide a bell-crank lever H mounted adjacent to and outside of the main rail 13, having a horizontal arm extended toward the rail so as to rest upon the shouldered free end of the lock plate in locked position, the other arm of this bellcrank lever depending and being pivotally connected to one end of a laterally projecting connecting rod H. The opposite end of this connecting rod is similarly connected to the depending arm of a bell-crank lever H mounted adjacent to the switch stand E and in turn connected to an upright rod H rising alongside the switch stand.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 4 I have shown the general type of main line switch, the actuating lever l of which is as usual provided with a slot adapted for disposition over a projecting staple e which is engaged by a suitable lock E to prevent the lever from being raised to the extent necessary to permit the switch throwing mechanism to be actuated.

To the end that the locked switch may be released when it is desired to open the switch, I provide the upper end of the upright rod H with an angular slotted extremity bent to extend over the lever E and adapted to be disposed upon the staple 6 over the actuating lever E as shown in Fig. t. Thus when the lock E is removed and lever E raised, a slight upward movement of the rod II will necessarily result in the movement of its slotted extremity off of the staple e in advance of the lever, this movement of the rod being sufiicient to lower the horizontal arm of the bell-crank lever H and press the shouldered free end of the locking plate F below the rail base.

In order that the rod H may be guided in its movement I preferably surround the upper portion of the switch stand E with a strap or band I having a bent portion 2' forming a guide or bearing for the said rod.

It will be further seen that the connecting rod I-I may be in two parts connected by a turnbuckle or the like 72, in order that the connections may be perfectly adjusted at all times to effect the desired result.

It is well known that, at the present time continued wear on the usual switch throwing mechanism and accidents resulting in the bending of any of its connections or breakage of certain of its fastenings will permit the switch point to stand slightly away from the main rail when the switch is closed and that a sharp flanged wheel may readily split the switch with disastrous results, results which cannot happen if the switch point and main rail are eifectively locked as they will be with my improvements attached.

It will be noted that these various struc tures which I propose for the purpose are in themselves simple, strong and durable and that they may be readily and quickly connected to the switches without necessitating rearrangement or removal of any of its usual parts. It will further be seen that my improvements may be installed with equal facility in connection with both right and left hand switches in which the switch stand is mounted at either side thereof.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a main rail, a switch point disposed adjacent and movable with respect to the main rail and provided with apertures in its base, a locking plate extending transversely beneath the main rail and having one end thereof provided with an under cut shoulder loosely engaging the base of the switch point, pivot bolts extending loosely through the locking plate adjacent its latter end and through the base of the switch point in order to form a fulcrum upon which the opposite end of the locking plate may move up and down, said last mentioned end of the locking plate being shouldered to engage the opposite side of the main rail base when raised, a slide plate having a downwardly ofiset shelf, and a spring seated on the shelf and bearing upwardly against the said free end of the locking plate, all for the purpose described.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a main rail, a switch point adjacent thereto, a slide plate on which the said main rail and switch point are seated, having a laterally extend ng and down- 90 wardly offset shelf, a spring member secured upon the said shelf, and alocking member actuated by the said spring member to securely hold the switch point against the main rail when the switch is closed.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a main rail, a switch point adjacent thereto, and a spring controlled locking member fulcrumed on the i switch point and adapted for engagement with the main rail when the switch is closed to prevent movement of the switch point away from the main rail substantially as described.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a main rail, a switch point adjacent thereto, a slide plate on which the main rail and switch point are seated and upon which the latter is movable toward and away from the main rail, a locking plate fulcrumed on the switch point for engagement with the main rail when the switch is closed, and a spring supported on the slide plate and bearing against the said locking plate in order to move the same into locked 5 position when the switch is closed.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a main rail, a switch point movable adjacent thereto, a locking plate fulcrumed at one end to the lower por- 120 tion of the switch point and extending transversely beneath the main rail, the opposite free end of the said locking plate being shouldered and movable vertically to engage the rail in locked position, a 125 spring engaging the locking plate and tending to move the same upwardly at all times, and connections for releasing the lock in cluding a bell-crank lever fulcrumed adjacent to the main rail and having one arm 130 thereof resting on the free shouldered end of the locking plate in locked position.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a main rail, a switch point, mechanism for throwing the switch point toward and away from the main rail including an actuating lever the initial movement of which is in a vertical direction, means for locking the switch point against the main rail when the switch is closed, connections for releasing the said locking means when the switch is to be opened and including a vertically extending rod having an angular upper end extending above the actuating 1ever on the point throwing mechanism and in the path of initial movement thereof and a locking staple on which the said upper rod end and said lever are engaged in superposed relation.

JOSEPH D. MOORE.

Witnesses:

MYRON G. CLEAR, SOLON O. KEMON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

